Churchill grad Padget making an impact at Alma College

Simply going through the motions has never been a viable option for Blake Padget.

Whether he's clearing running lanes as an offensive lineman for the Alma College football team, volunteering at youth football camps, studying for a Law School Admission Test or collecting equipment for less-fortunate young athletes, the 2011 Livonia Churchill graduate's motor is always revving at full throttle.

So it was no surprise to anyone who knows the energetic Padget that he was recently named to the 2014 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team – a prestigious group of 22 college football players (11 from Division 1 schools; and 11 from D2 and smaller schools) who have made extraordinary commitments to enriching the lives of others in their communities.

In addition to participating in a local soup kitchen at Alma First Presbyterian Church, serving at various Big Brothers/Big Sisters events and working with Habitat for Humanity to build ramps for people with cerebral palsy, Padget co-founded the non-profit organization Together All Can Keep Limits Exhausted (T.A.C.K.L.E.), which provides equipment to young football players who may not be able to play without a helping hand.

"We thought that it would be sad if a kid couldn't play football just because of something silly like not being able to afford cleats," said Padget, when asked about the inspiration for forming T.A.C.K.L.E. "We raise money and collect equipment for youth football leagues so that every kid who wants to play will get an opportunity."

Football has made a long-lasting and powerful impact on Padget, who played for the Livonia Orioles and under his No. 1 mentor – his father, Robert Padget.

"I could talk to you for two or three hours about what the sport of football has meant to me," he said. "Most importantly, it has given me an opportunity to educate myself and given me incentive to do well in school. And being on some teams that have struggled on the field, I've learned how to battle through adversity and never give up."

Padget has been a positive force both on and off the gridiron during the past four years at Alma, said Scots head coach Greg Pscodna.

"Blake is a young man who epitomizes division three athletics," Pscodna said. "He has been a class act both on and off the field his entire career at Alma College. He is an example for his teammates and for future Scots that come to this campus."

Blake Padget is a three-year starter on the offensive line for Alma College's football team.(Photo: ALMA COLLEGE)

At 6-foot and 245 pounds, Padget is not on the massive side when it comes to collegiate offensive linemen, but he's been super-effective during his tenure at Alma. After playing sparingly as a freshman in 2011, Padget worked his way into the starting line-up as a right offensive tackle his sophomore season and has been a starter ever since.

Although the Scots have finished 1-9 the past two seasons, optimism is abundant this fall thanks to a 2-1 start.

"We have a really good group of senior leaders and we're motivated to finish our college football careers on a positive note," said Padget. "We were in just about every game last season, but we just couldn't make that big play at the end to finish. This year we feel like we have what it takes to finish games."

A testament to his versatility, Padget will be making his first career start at center this weekend.

Family is big for Padget, who sets a positive example for his younger brother, Dylan – a senior on this season's 5-0 Churchill football team – like his older brother Robert and dad did for him.

"I'd like to think I'm a mentor for my younger brother, at least to some extent," Padget said. "I want to be a good role model for him. Living away from him during his high school football career has been kind of hard, but I get to as many of his games as I can. I'm very proud of him."

Padget is working toward a degree in history with a minor in psychology. Ultimately, he aspires to attend law school – preferably at a state school – and become a lawyer.